Volume Automation: Ways to Lift The Chorus

Ready to make your choruses hit harder? 🎚️ Got some game-changing tricks from mixing legends Mick Guzauski, Michael Brauer, Streaky, and Jack Antonoff on how to create that perfect lift. 4 powerful techniques that'll make your choruses stand out without overcomplicating things. No fancy gear needed – just smart moves 👉

SonicScoop

Lift the chorus with volume automation

Mick Guzauski demonstrates how to lift the chorus in a mix using volume automation on the mix bus. By slightly increasing the volume—about 1 to 1.5 dB—just before and during the chorus, he creates a subtle yet effective dynamic lift that enhances the impact of the section. This approach is a simple yet powerful way to add excitement and emphasis to key moments in a song, ensuring the chorus captures the listener's attention.

Mix with the Masters

Automate level and low-end to lift the chorus

Michael Brauer demonstrates a technique for amplifying the impact of a chorus. He does this by making the preceding section 'smaller' - reducing the drum levels and cutting low-end frequencies. This creates a contrast so that when the chorus arrives, its increased level and added low-end frequencies make it sound significantly larger and more impactful. This approach effectively heightens the song's dynamics, making the chorus stand out.

Streaky

Widen the vocal to lift up the chorus

Streaky demonstrates how to use the UA UAD Studio D Chorus to widen a vocal, enhancing its perceived size and impact, particularly during the transition from verse to chorus. What is special here is how he ensures the effect is applied only to the stereo sides, leaving the center vocal clean. This technique helps the track's chorus lift and expand without overwhelming the listener with an obvious chorus effect on the vocal. To achieve this, Streaky employs the FabFilter Pro-Q 3 to apply a brick wall EQ, isolating the mid frequencies and allowing only the side signal of the chorus effect to be heard. This approach maintains the vocal's clarity while adding a subtle yet effective stereo expansion.

Tape Notes Podcast

Building tension with effects automation on the mix bus

Jack Antonoff demonstrates how to create excitement and build tension using delay and modulation effects automation directly on the mix bus. He employs Soundtoys EchoBoy for delay and Soundtoys Tremolator for tremolo, showcasing how these effects can transform a section to feel entirely different. By applying these effects to the master, Antonoff can quickly shift the sonic landscape without getting into the minutiae of individual tracks. This approach allows for dramatic changes, such as making a bridge feel distinct or adding a pulsing movement to a section, enhancing the overall dynamics and interest of the track.